Monday, January 2, 2012

In Memory of Penny Jordan - Best Selling Romantic Novelist

Penny Jordan died on 31st of December 2011.

Penny Jordan was a global star of Mills & Boon, not only in Category Romance, but an international best seller when they first ventured into single title, under the Worldwide imprint, with her stunning revenge novel Silver (1989). She loved and continued to write category romance, but latterly she had added novels for Harper Collins -- wartime romances under the pen name Annie Groves, which she loved writing, drawing on family history for some of her inspiration, and also big family sagas like Silk and Scandal, under her own name.

She was phenomenally hard working but could always find time to support other writers, especially those still aspiring to be published. She was generous and the success of authors she had advised was an on-going delight to her.

In March 2011 Penny Jordan received a lifetime achievement award from the RNA.

We miss her and here are some of the comments from her fellow writers....

The sadness and love expressed by so many of us say a lot about Penny
herself.

Not only is she a talented storyteller - she is a kind and generous soul -
who always has words of encouragement for others.

She has always been a wonderful ambassador for our work and our association.
She been an inspiration to me in more ways than I can say.

Like so many others I am deeply saddened to hear of her illness - and my
thoughts are with her and those closest to her. [Janet Gover]

We've had a few chats at various "dos" and she is always so friendly. A very talented lady, who never flaunts her bestseller status. [Gail Mallin]

She is a a real RNA stalwart and a true star. [Jenny Harper]

She's a true inspiration for all of us, so incredibly hard-working and always kind and generous with advice. Long before I came to England and joined the RNA, I had heard of her and seen her books in many different countries, but although I was in awe the first time I met her, she soon put me at ease. Am thinking of her. [Pia Fenton writing as Christina Courtenay]

She is such a wonderful and generous person - a role model for us all. [Katie Fforde]

She is always so self-effacing and generous to others. [Jan Jones]

Like so many I'm in shock and unbelievably sad. Penny was a friend and a
mentor. I cherish memories of shopping for handbags with her in Dubai and
comparing shoes at RNA events. Her glamour.... a goal to try an reach....

She is a writing pro who never stopped growing as writer - never happy with
just good enough and as other have said has encouraged many of us on our
way...

My prayers are with her. [Liz Fenwick]

This is sad news indeed. Penny Jordan is a name I've known since I was a young girl, with many of her books lying about the house, and my mother an ardent fan, of course. My thoughts are with her and her family. [Jane Holland, daughter of Charlotte Lamb]

I wouldn't presume to say I knew her well but having chatted to her on many
occasions in the past nine years I have always found her unfailingly kind
and very modest.

I know she was genuinely interested in helping and guiding aspiring authors
and that over the years, she has mentored several unpublished members of the
RNA.

I can completely understand why she wanted to keep her illness private as
people, even talented, vibrant people like Penny, who have a terminal
diagnosis often become defined by that rather than the person they truly
are.

But as a true storyteller she will leave a wonderful legacy for her family,
friends and fans alike; over 200 well-crafted and page-turning romances.

[Jean Fullerton]

Like everyone else, I am devastated by this terrible news. Penny was a huge support to me when I was getting published and encouraged me during the many times I wanted to give up.She is a truly special person and the world will be a poorer place without her. [Julia Moffatt]

I'm greatly saddened to hear the news about Penny, a highly successful author, who was never too busy to offer advice to others trying to get on to the ladder of publishing success. I was one such beneficiary.

I shall always remember her with affection - her generous nature, her warmth as a person and her enviable instinct for glamour. [Liz Harris]

I never met Penny but corresponded via e-mail from time
to time. She was so generous in her support and praise for all new and
inexperienced writers- as I was six years ago. [Fenella Miller]

Penny is an inspirational woman. So hard-working and dedicated to her craft. And, on a more superficial note, always so elegant. [Gilli Allan]

My thoughts and prayers are with her family. She spoke at the first RNA meeting I first went to in Circencester. She was an inspiration and as a result I joined the RNA. God bless her. [Sheila Johnson]

I met her first at the Cheshire RNA chapter, where she was
incredibly kind to this newbie author who only had one book out with a tiny
publisher. [Lynne Connolly]

How shocked I am at the news about Penny. I have many, many Penny Jordan books. They are keepers. [Vonnie Hughes]

Such sad news. I've been reading Penny's books since the Caroline Courtney days. Whether she was writing category romances or family sagas, a good read was guaranteed. Thank you for the many, many, many hours of pleasure your books have given me, Penny. Rest in Peace.

I only met Penny once, and that was briefly, and was some years ago, when she was the keynote speaker at the Romantic Novelist's Association conference in Australia. So sad that such an inspiring and talented lady is no longer with us. Sympathy to her family.

A truly gentle soul. Penny leaves a wonderful legacy in terms of her literature and the people whose lives she touched with her kindness. She will continue to be an inspiration as both novelist and human being.

Penny Jordan was one of my favourtie Mills and Boon authors. I made it a point to pic up her books every month. In fact, I just finished reading The Power of Vasilli last week. It's a shock to hear of her demise. She will be thoroughly missed!

I'm shocked and saddened to hear this dreadful news. Whenever I met Penny, mainly at NW events, she was always so friendly and down to earth, a warm and wonderful person. And her books were wonderful. I've just finished reading Silk. She will be greatly missed.

I couldn't believe it when I heard the news, Penny was just wonderful, a great talent and always willing to help other writers. Together with Amanda Ashby and Susan Stephens we started the Cheshire chapter and had a lot of fun meeting up at a local wine bar for lunches and lots of writing chat. She gave me a lot of help and encouragement and I will never forget her. I can't believe she's gone.

Penny Jordan an inspiration, a writer who drew people into the lives of characters.. made you want to beleive that there can be happy endings despite all the obstacles...... she was a phenomonal writer. i would eagerly await all her latest books on the M&B website every month... thank you Penny for all your stories.... may god rest your soul in peace and eternity.... god bless.....sangeeta xxx (a avid romance reader)

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Romantic Novelists' Association

We work to enhance and promote the various types of romantic and historical fiction, to encourage good writing in all its many varieties, to learn more about our craft and help readers enjoy it.

Romantic Fiction covers an enormous range, from short stories through category romance and much of women's fiction, to the classics. The nature of romantic fiction means that most of these novels are written and read by women. The RNA, however, boasts a number of very successful male authors amongst their membership.